Steve McManaman insists England don't need to defend like Chelsea for success

Former England winger Steve McManaman has urged boss Roy Hodgson to give the fans a team to get excited about and ignore the "boring, boring, Chelsea" example of winning matches.

McManaman was an integral part of the England side that reached the semi-finals of Euro 1996, a team fondly remembered for their entertaining football.

"I really hope we don't go into the tournament to defend," McManaman told the Sunday Mirror.

"People are not expecting much from this England team- but it would be great if they could do out and give us something to be excited about.

"There is no way we should defend in numbers and play for a 1-0 against France, Sweden and Ukraine. Fair enough if we get to the later stages and face Holland or Spain, but we should try and give a good account of ourselves."

McManaman also praised Hodgson's decision to bring Gary Neville into his coaching staff, saying: "I think it was a great move to get Gary in. It shows Roy is willing to think a bit differently, we had Bryan Robson in a similar role at Euro 96."